Everything That Changed at Disney World in May 2026

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort this summer, May 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest transition months Disney has had in years. Across all four parks, guests are seeing major ride reopenings, brand-new entertainment, updated attractions, seasonal overlays, and several closures tied to long-term expansion projects.

From a Muppets-themed roller coaster to a patriotic Soarin’ overlay and new family entertainment offerings, Disney is clearly leaning into refreshes and limited-time experiences ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations and several larger park expansions still underway.

Here’s a full look at the biggest changes that happened at Disney World in May 2026.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens at Magic Kingdom

One of the most anticipated reopenings of the year finally arrived on May 3, when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad officially reopened after a lengthy refurbishment. Disney has reportedly updated the track, enhanced effects, and added new scenes inspired by the classic Rainbow Caverns attraction from Disneyland. (AllEars.Net)

The ride has been closed since early 2025, so this reopening was a major win for Magic Kingdom fans who have been missing one of the park’s signature thrill rides.

Early reports suggest the coaster experience feels smoother while still keeping the same wild-west energy longtime guests love.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Gets a Muppets Makeover

The second biggest headline of the month is the debut of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on May 26. The former Aerosmith-themed attraction has been completely reimagined around The Electric Mayhem from The Muppets franchise. (People.com)

The ride system itself remains intact — including the high-speed launch and inversions — but nearly everything else has changed. Guests now join the Muppets on a chaotic race through Hollywood as the band attempts to make it to a concert on time.

Disney has also refreshed the queue, exterior signage, soundtrack, and show scenes to fit the new storyline. For fans disappointed by the closure of Muppets Courtyard in 2025, this feels like Disney giving the franchise a new home inside Hollywood Studios.

EPCOT Introduces “Soarin’ Across America”

Starting May 26, Soarin' Across America temporarily replaced Soarin’ Around the World inside EPCOT. (People.com)

The limited-time overlay celebrates America’s upcoming 250th birthday and features new flight scenes showcasing iconic U.S. landscapes and landmarks.

To prepare for the update, the existing version of Soarin’ closed from May 14 through May 25. (That Disney Fam)

EPCOT fans who miss the original California-themed version of the attraction were super excited for this update.

Smugglers Run Adds a New Mandalorian Mission

Over at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run received a major update on May 22 featuring new missions tied to The Mandalorian and Grogu. (People.com)

The refreshed experience includes new storylines, destination choices, updated visuals, and interactions with Grogu himself. This marks one of the most significant ride-content updates Disney has made to Galaxy’s Edge since the land originally opened in 2019.

The update also aligns with Disney and Lucasfilm’s broader push around The Mandalorian franchise in 2026.

New Family Entertainment Is Arriving Across the Parks

Disney also rolled out several family-focused entertainment offerings beginning May 26 as part of its “Cool Kid Summer” initiative. (the disney food blog)

Highlights include:

• Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom

• GoofyCore inside CommuniCore Hall

• Jessie's Roundup featuring Toy Story-themed activities

• A revamped Animation Courtyard experience at Hollywood Studios

• New Disney Jr. stage entertainment

• 
  

These additions are clearly aimed at younger families visiting during the busy summer season.

The arrival of Bluey in particular is likely to become one of the most popular additions Disney has introduced for preschool-age audiences in years.

Several Attractions Remain Closed or Under Construction

While many experiences are opening, several closures continue throughout May as Disney pushes forward with larger transformation projects. (the disney food blog)

Ongoing closures and refurbishments include:

• Pete's Silly Sideshow

• Portions of Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios

• Temporary closure of Soarin’ during its overlay installation

• Continued work tied to DinoLand U.S.A.’s transformation at Animal Kingdom

Meanwhile, fans are still watching construction tied to future projects like Villains Land at Magic Kingdom and the long-term Animal Kingdom overhaul expected to continue into 2027. (YouTube)

Entertainment Changes Continue at Magic Kingdom

Another subtle but notable shift is happening at Magic Kingdom, where Disney appears to have quietly retired the longtime “Let the Magic Begin” castle welcome show. (Disney Tourist Blog)

The change follows months of work on Cinderella Castle, which recently completed a major repainting and restoration project.

While Disney hasn’t formally announced the show’s cancellation, fans have noticed its disappearance from entertainment schedules throughout May.

Final Thoughts

May 2026 feels less like a normal update cycle and more like the beginning of Disney World’s next major era. Some beloved experiences are returning with major upgrades, others are being completely reinvented, and several long-running park areas are evolving into something entirely new.

For visitors, that means this summer offers a mix of nostalgia, experimentation, and construction all at once.

If you’re visiting Disney World in the coming months, expect a resort in transition — but also one packed with brand-new experiences you won’t find anywhere else.